Mr. Chair,
Norway commends the Finnish chairpersonship for placing resilience through comprehensive security on the agenda. I also thank the speakers for their excellent contributions, and the chair for the insightful concept paper. As a neighbour and Ally of Finland, we have observed first hand the authority you hold in this field.
As just outlined by our Norwegian panelist, our national approach to resilience in large parts corresponds to the key observations in this paper. We, as others, have in the wake of the pandemic and the Russian full- scale invasion of Ukraine, accelerated our efforts to ensure a robust, comprehensive and all- inclusive resilience through a wide variety of measures, civilian and military.
Allow me to highlight three brief observations in this regard.
First, the Ukrainian people’s resilience facing continued ruthless and illegal Russian aggression is nothing short of remarkable. We have – unfortunately, as Ukraine should never have had to face this senseless invasion of their sovereign territory, a lot to learn from the expertise Ukraine has built throughout the past decade.
Second, a whole of society approach is at the core of any successful deterrence and defence. This also includes the enhancement of psychological resilience, which requires long – term efforts through education, planning and exercises, as well as the unique bond our conscription creates between civilian and military life.
This understanding of security and defence as a comprehensive effort is also reflected in Norway’s continued immediate and long – term support to Ukraine. Immediate military support is doubled with support to civil society, education, rebuilding of infrastructure easily seen as relevant for resilience, such as energy infrastructure. However, large part also goes to areas that provide less visible, but non the less important areas of resilience, particularly psychological. Examples include support to education, civilian rescue services, health services and work on anti-corruption and rule of law.
Third, through its three-dimensional approach the OSCE is uniquely placed to foster exchanges on comprehensive security through resilience. The ongoing conference in Warsaw is a case in point. The potential is there.
Thank you.